Title: Insecticide resistance management issues in India

Abstract

In the continuous process of mutual evolution between plants and various organisms that feed on them, the host plants have evolved defensive mechanisms exploiting weaknesses in the attacking organisms. In turn, the attacking organisms have evolved mechanisms that enable them to detoxify or otherwise resist the defensive chemicals of their hosts. Thus, the gene pool of most of our pest species already contains genes that enable the pests to degrade enzymatically or otherwise circumvent the toxic effect of many types of chemicals that we have developed as modem pesticides. These genes may have been retained at various frequencies as part of the species' genetic memory. The best-documented evolutionary trait threatening crop protection is resistance to pesticides, which has frequently led to the loss of valuable chemicals and uncontrollable pest problems throughout the world, including India. Resistance occurs in thirteen orders of insects, yet more than 90% of the arthropod species with resistant populations are; Diptera (35%), Lepidoptera (15%), Coleoptera (14%), Hemiptera (14%), and mites (14 %). The disproportionately high number of resistant Diptera reflects the intense use of insecticides against mosquitoes that transmit diseases. Agricultural pests account for 59 percent of harmful resistant species while medical and veterinary pests account for 41%. There are several important management concerns related to agriculturally important insect pests. This manuscript deals with Insecticide Resistance Management issues in India.